What do Christadelphians believe about the resurrection of Jesus Christ? The Bible is quite clear about the subject of death and the state of man after it. It also clearly states the hopes God has promised to those who are willing to obey and please Him in this life. Their reward will be given at a future time after their death, when they rise from the dead, that is, when they are resurrected, and their hope will be fulfilled.
Because of this state of death, the concept of resurrection becomes very significant and one of the fundamental teachings of the Bible. Resurrection gives the believer the hope that there is a promise for life after death.
The word “resurrection” simply means “rising” or “coming to life from the dead.” This word is not used in the Bible until the New Testament; however, its concept is taught in the Old Testament and is implicitly found in the promises given to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and David. Jesus Christ believed in the resurrection of the dead; Jesus taught resurrection; Jesus Himself rose from the dead; and Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life” (John 11:25, ESV).
The Bible presents examples of resurrection, such as the resurrection of Lazarus in John chapter 11; however, the Apostle Paul gives an excellent explanation of this in 1 Corinthians chapter 15.
“Now if Christ is proclaimed as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain.” (Verses 12-14, ESV). The resurrection of the dead for believers is confirmed by the fact that Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
“But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.” (Verses 20-23, ESV)
Because of Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, all humans are mortal beings. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus Christ made the resurrection of the dead possible, and He is the first to rise to eternal life. The resurrection will occur when Jesus returns to earth.
As humans, we have a mortal and corruptible nature. For our nature to change to an immortal and incorruptible one, we must first die and then be raised from the dead. This change is known as the “spiritual body.”
“I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep [die], but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” (Verses 50-54, ESV)”
What is the belief of Christadelphians regarding the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
- Christadelphians believe what the Bible says about resurrection.
- Resurrection means “rising” and refers to those who have died and come to life again.
- The idea of resurrection is presented in the Old Testament and detailed more comprehensively in the New Testament as a fundamental doctrine.
- Jesus Christ believed in this subject and introduced Himself as the “resurrection and the life.”
- The message of the Gospel requires the resurrection from the dead for its complete fulfillment.
- Without resurrection, there is no hope for humanity because in our sinful and mortal state, we cannot inherit the kingdom of God.
- Jesus Christ was the first person to rise from the dead and gain immortality.
- The resurrection will occur when Jesus Christ returns to earth, which is still a future event.
- In the resurrection, those who are awakened by Jesus Christ and found worthy/faithful will be changed and receive immortality or eternal life.
In our mortal or corrupt state, we cannot inherit the kingdom of God. When Jesus returns to earth, there will be a call for those who are to be raised. At this time, those who are to receive immortality will have their nature changed from mortal to immortal. At this point, death will no longer have power over these individuals.
Read more: What do Christadelphians believe about the Gospel?
The result of the Christadelphian belief in the resurrection of the dead: In this mortal life, it brings hope and encouragement for a better and endless life in the future. When Jesus returns, the resurrection will occur, and the hope for eternal life will become a reality!
